MST 12M/50K Challenge Race Information

The MST 50-Km Challenge  (7:00 AM START) is an out-and-back run starting and finishing at Blue Jay Point Park in Raleigh. Parking will be available at the park for 50K participants and spectators. The run will turnaround at the Falls Lake Dam (same location as the 12M finish). There is an 8-hour time limit for the 50K event.

The MST 12-Mile Challenge  (8:00 AM START) is a point-to-point run starting at the trailhead at the end of Bayleaf Church Rd. and finishing at Falls Lake Dam. Shuttle vans will transport you from Falls Pointe Plaza (shuttle pick up is in front of KOHL’S) to the start area and from the finish line back to your vehicle.

12M/50K MST Course Map

Registration:
Entry fee: $35 for 12-Mile, $55 for 50-Km. Technical T-shirts are guaranteed to everyone registered before March 15. Online registration is now closed.

Please note: there is no race day registration! Register early. Race is limited to 100 runners for the 50K and 250 runners for the 12-M.

Packet Pick-Up
3/30 – Packet Pick-up @ Bull City Running from 4:30-6:30PM
3/31 – Packet Pick-up @ Bull City Running from 1:00-5:00PM
Montrail Wear-Test Shoes will be available both days
Please note — ALL 50K participants are required to pick up their packet on one of these days.

Aid Stations
Aid stations and crew access points will be located approximately every 3 miles on the course. Water, FLUID (electrolyte replacement drink), CLIF Shot energy gels, and basic first aid supplies will be available at all aid stations. A map of aid station locations/crew access points will be available shortly. Plenty of food and refreshments will be available at the 12-M finish (and 50K turnaround) and 50K finish.

Drop Bags
Drop bags and labels with your bib number will be distributed to all 12M and 50K participants. You will receive these when you pick up your packets. Bring your drop bag to the start of the race with any shoes/clothes/etc. 12M participants will claim their drop bags at the finish. 50K participants will be able to access their drop bags at the turnaround and again at the finish. No valuables or personal bags, please.

The 50K Course:
Course Map , Course Elevation Chart

Parking Directions for 50K Participants:
Plenty of parking is available at Blue Jay Point County Park. Follow the Event Parking signs after you enter the main gates to the park. PLEASE NOTE: The park opens at 6:00AM on Sunday, April 1st. Gates will be locked before this time. Please do not arrive before 6:00AM. Race will start at 7:00AM. NO RACE-DAY Packet Pickup is available for 50K runners.
Restrooms are available inside the park.

The 12M Course:
Course Map, Course Description, Course Elevation Chart

Parking/Shuttle Directions for 12M Participants:
Shuttles will take runners from Falls Pointe Plaza (park at North entrance to KOHL’S) to the start area beginning at 6:15am. The shuttle to the start will take approximately 15 minutes. The last shuttle will leave Falls Pointe Plaza at 7:30am sharp. Restrooms are available at the start area (end of Bayleaf Church Rd.). Packet Pick-up will be available for 12M runners only at the start area from 6:30-7:45AM, but pre-race pickup is highly encouraged.

The shuttles (15-passenger vans) will pick runners up in front of the north entrance to KOHL’S.

Note: Runners may be dropped off at the start area, but no parking will be permitted.

For directions to Falls Pointe Plaza, please click here. (Corner of Falls of Neuse and Durant Rd. Please park on Durant Rd. side of Kohl’s.)
For directions to the start area, please click here.
For directions to the finish area, please click here.

Awards Categories:
An award will be presented to all finishers. In addition, the following awards will be given:

• Top 3 Overall Finishers, M/F
• Top Masters Finishers, M/F

Team Challenge:
If you have five others running, you can register as a team. No additional cost, just added fun. Team with the lowest combined score for all five finishers wins. Scoring: points will be scored for overall finish per gender – so if a male finishes 13th overall for men and female 10th for women the score would be 23. No awards, just bragging rights! Teams must be registered before race day.

Camping Options: for anyone who would like to camp at Falls Lake the night before the race, information and directions can be found here.

Montrail Wear Test:
Montrail will have shoes available for you to wear test during the race! Participants who are interested in doing this can sign-up and receive your shoes at the packet pick-up on Friday (4:30-6:30PM) or Saturday (1:00-5:00PM) before the race and return them to the Montrail tent at the finish. Wear-test shoes cannot be picked up on the morning of the race.

Be Aware…
This is a trail race… not your typical road race. You will be exposed to many obstacles you would not normally see in a road race. The course is a single-track hiking trail, so there are roots, rocks, quick turns, logs, woodland critters, and possibly water to avoid.

You may fall… in fact you probably will fall. So just get up and keep running! If you are injured or need additional support, let others know and they can relay the information to those working one of the aid stations on the course. If it is a hot day and/or if you think you will need more water, we highly recommend carrying your own.

What to Expect:
First, a lot of fun! You can expect that we will setup a great course, provide a well marked course, stocked water stops, and accurate results. We will do our best to make sure you enjoy your experience. If you have a suggestion please email it to us…we love to hear from participants and spectators.

The Small Print:
We ask that you do not run with your dog, run with an unregistered pacer, run with headphones, run with a jog stroller, and, of course, do not litter on the trail.

Volunteers:
We need you! If you’re interested in being a part of this event, please let us know. Thank you!